Discover why original characters Gibbs, Todd, and DiNozzo did not return for NCIS’ 1,000th episode.
SUMMARY
– Even with Gibbs, Todd, and DiNozzo missing from NCIS’s 1,000th episode, a nostalgic tie back to the series’ roots is evident.
– Harmon’s departure, Todd’s unfortunate end, and DiNozzo’s spinoff plans explain the absence of key original cast members in the milestone episode.
– Alexander and Weatherly still managed to delight fans by reuniting on Instagram to chat about NCIS and their time on the show, proving their enduring bond.
Making television history on April 15, 2024, the long-running crime drama NCIS unveiled its 1,000th episode on CBS. Aptly titled “A Thousand Yards,” the landmark episode comes full circle to address a crime that Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and his investigative team faced and failed to resolve in Season 1 in 2003. However, despite rounding up as many cast members as possible for the 1,000th episode, the glaring absence of at least three original characters is hard to overlook.
Before delving into the reasons for the original cast members’ absence in “A Thousand Yards,” it’s important to note that at least two iconic characters — Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander) and Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) — reunited one week later for Instagram’s Convos and Coffee series. With less to do with the actors’ schedules and contractual obligations and more with the story events that preceded it, here’s how CBS addressed the original NCIS cast members who failed to appear in the 1,000th celebratory episode.
What Is “A Thousand Yards” About?
NCIS pays homage to its 21-year history in “A Thousand Yards” by referring to the first case taken by Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the inaugural episode, “Yankee White.” While Gibbs is absent from “A Thousand Yards,” the episode ties back to the opener in several ways. In “Yankee White,” Gibbs worked with Secret Service Agent Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander) and Naval Criminal Investigation Service Special Agent Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). The plot involves a secret presidential assassination attempt onboard Air Force Once, orchestrated by sleeper agent Leonard Rish (Robert Bagnell).
In “A Thousand Yards,” at least one original cast member returns from “Yankee White” to haunt NCIS. They include Senior FBI Agent Tobias T.C. Fornell (Joe Spano, above left), who works with the son of Todd’s Secret Service superior Agent, William Baer (Jeremy John Wells). William Baer Sr. (Gerry Becker) also appeared in “White Yankee,” but Becker died in 2019 and couldn’t return for “A Thousand Yards.” Meanwhile, Gibbs, Todd, and DiNozzo are notably absent from the special 1,000th episode of the long-running cop show and each has their unique reason for missing the memorial reunion. Fortunately, two original cast members who missed “A Thousand Yards” have reunited elsewhere to pay tribute to their legacy.
Why Are Gibbs, Todd & DiNozzi Missing From NCIS’ 1,000th Episode?
While it would have been great for fans of NCIS to see Gibbs, Todd, and DiNozzo return for the 1,000th episode, each has their reasons for missing the reunion. For instance, Mark Harmon departed the series during Season 19, Episode 4, “Great Wide Open,” as he ventures to Alaska. After playing the part since 2003, Harmon was burnt out playing Gibbs for so long and felt the timing was right for his departure. Although “A Thousand Yards” comes full circle to address Gibb’s first NCIS case, his glaring absence is curious but understandable given Harmon’s aversion to playing the role again.
As for Caitlin Todd, her character couldn’t possibly return for “A Thousand Yards” because her character was killed off in the Season 2 finale, “Twilight.” In a shocking twist of fate to end Season 2, Todd was murdered by Ziva David’s half-brother, Ari Haswari. Although Todd couldn’t physically appear in the 1000th episode due to her death, the character was completely ignored in “A Thousand Yards.” Fans have taken the omission as a disrespectful slap in the face for failing to honor the show’s first female lead.
The reason Tony DiNozzo did not return for “A Thousand Yards” is a bit more complicated. After the character’s absence since Season 13 (2016), DiNozzo recently returned to NCIS in Season 21, Episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind.” The Ducky farewell episode aired two months and five chapters before “A Thousand Yards,” leaving many to wonder why DiNozzo did not reunite with original cast members Spano and Wells.
While it’s hard to know for certain, the same month Weatherly returned as DiNozzo (February 2024), Paramount+ announced plans to produce an untitled NCIS spinoff, which follows DiNozzo and Ziva. So, while it’s unclear why DiNozzo was not asked to return for “A Thousand Yards,” CBS was promoting the spin-off’s announcement with DiNozzo’s return in “The Stories We Leave Behind.”
Alexander & Weatherly Reunite Anyway on Instagram
For NCIS fans upset that original cast members Sasha Alexander (Todd) and Michael Weatherly (DiNozzo) did not reunite in “A Thousand Yards,” fear not. The two beloved NCIS alums joined each other during an episode of Instagram’s Convos and Coffee and discussed their time on the long-running CBS procedural. One week following the historical 1,000th episode, Alexander and Weatherly chatted about everything from UFOs to the upcoming NCIS spin-off starring the latter. According to Weatherly, the new NCIS international procedural will be filmed in Budapest.
While fans would have appreciated Agents Todd and DiNozzo reuniting on NCIS, it’s hard to beat the compelling authenticity of Alexander and Weatherly speaking to each other one-on-one from the comfort of their homes. In addition to expressing appreciation for their time on NCIS and working together, the candid and causal conversation takes a silly turn into beard etiquette, social media impostors, adult ADHD, and many more amusing topics that make them even more likable and relatable.
The conversation reminds fans of the natural screen rapport Alexander and Weatherly shared on NCIS for the first two seasons of the long-running procedural. While Alexander could theoretically return as Todd in a flashback, fans will see more of Weatherly as DiNozzo when the character returns for the untitled NCIS spin-off following NCIS: Origins.
